Exclusive Interview: Byron Mann Talks The Modelizer, Penning the Screenplay, and More

Actor, writer, and producer Byron Mann is the creative genius behind the must-see new film, The Modelizer.

Set in Hong Kong’s high-octane, ultra-rich fast-lane, The Modelizer follows Shawn Koo (Mann), son of a Chinese tycoon family, and his partner-in-clubbing Narin “Bucky” Sakpiporn (K-pop star Nichkhun), who enjoy a lavish lifestyle of parties, privilege, and international model girlfriends. After a string of short-term relationships, Shawn gets a wake-up call, realizing that all the money in the world is not enough to buy the love of a woman. As he begins falling for the charming yet defiant Camila (Rayssa Bratillieri), a Brazilian model unaccustomed to his lifestyle, Shawn must change his tactics and clean up his act if he intends to win her heart.

Pop Culturalist was lucky enough to speak with Byron about The Modelizer, what inspired the story, penning his first feature film, and more.

Please Note: This interview was conducted prior to the SAG-AFTRA strike. We stand in solidarity with SAG-AFTRA and the WGA, and will not be conducting further interviews until a fair deal is reached.

PC: Tell us about The Modelizer and the inspiration behind the film. As you were writing this character, was the plan always to star in it as well?
Byron: I stumbled upon this world. I say the word “stumbled” because I grew up in Hong Kong. Prior to COVID, I would spend half the year in Hong Kong and the other half in Los Angeles. I stumbled upon this world of international models who live and have a life in Hong Kong, and all these people who circle around and pursue them.

When I found out about this world, I did a lot of research. I talked to models. I talked to PR people. I said, “Wow, I’ve never heard this story before and it’s happening in my backyard. This is my hometown. That’s Chinese soil.” It’s crazy. Who would have thought this was happening in Hong Kong? That’s how it started.

Then, I developed the script with Keoni Waxman, our director. I wrote the script. It was financed through COVID because a group of investors wanted to do something cool in Hong Kong. It pretty much came together quickly.

We filmed at the height of the pandemic in Hong Kong. We weren’t planning for that; it just happened. We had all these international actresses and K-pop star Nichkhun descended into Hong Kong.

PC: In addition to starring in the film, you also wrote and produced it. Have you found that your experience behind the camera has impacted the way that you approached this character on screen and vice versa?
Byron: It’s interesting that you mentioned that because acting was the last thing that I thought about during the whole process of making this film. Because I was producing it, a lot of things came through me because I’m the only one from Hong Kong. I was the one who had to reach out to a lot of the club and restaurant owners to see if we could film at their places. I’d be like, “You have a cool club. You have a cool restaurant,” etc.

When the director and cinematographer arrived from Los Angeles on the first day, it was the first time they had been in Hong Kong. They were foreigners. I was the local. Every day, we were dealing with all types of logistical issues like losing locations because of COVID and trying to get new locations. So, in other words, acting was the last thing I thought about while filming.

Fortunately, I wrote the script. I know the character and dialog very well, so I didn’t have to think too much about it. I was like, “Okay, I’m doing that scene today.”

PC: Once you cast these actors in their respective roles, I imagine you want to give them the freedom to interpret and make these characters their own. How did you create the space on set for each of the actors to do that?
Byron: We cast authentically. Rayssa [Bratillieri] who plays Camila is really from a small village in Brazil, and is an actual model. The Polish model is from Warsaw. The Russian model is Croatian, but she speaks Russian. We tried to cast authentically. Nichkhun, who plays Bucky, is a major K-pop star. We reimagined the role to his liking. Bucky is actually his middle name. He’s actually Thai-Chinese, even though he’s a major K-pop star and lives in Seoul, Korea. We tailored these characters to them and let them play!

PC: The chemistry between Shawn and Camila is electric. How were you and Rayssa able to build that chemistry while filming during a pandemic?
Byron: It’s interesting that you mentioned that because other people have mentioned it while I’m doing press as well, so I’m really happy about that. Rayssa was as new to me as Camila is to Shawn. She just landed in Hong Kong. She’s very flexible and she’s a fireball. She’s got a lot of energy. It was fun just to hang out with her. It just happened naturally. Here’s the thing, the cast really loved each other and loved the film so much that they’re all flying in for the premiere. I think the reason is that they all identified with their characters so much; they felt it was them. We created this family. The film was very special for all of them.

PC: This is your debut as a writer and producer. Did anything surprise you about the overall experience? What’s been the biggest takeaway that you’ll bring to your next project?
Byron: That’s a deep question. You realize how important every department is. It’s a train that starts moving. If one department doesn’t pull its weight, it doesn’t work. For example, if the line producer isn’t up to par, it’s a train wreck. You have to work with the best people that you trust. I have such a deep appreciation for all these departments. So now that I’ve done this one, I know who I can go to for my next film. Also, film is a collaborative process. It’s not just the actors; it’s everyone from the costume department to production designers to the music. Music was so important for this film. I’m glad it all came together.

PC: What do you hope audiences take away after they see the film?
Byron: I hope everyone is surprised. I hope they go into this film with little or no expectations and are surprised and inspired by love. It’s a romance story, disguised in the modeling world. But at the heart of it, it’s really a romantic story. I hope people laugh along the way and are hopeful.

To keep up with Byron, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Watch The Modelizer wherever you stream movies.

Photo Credit: Narbeh Khodaverdi